Ceasefire extended across Ukraine's Kherson region, officials say

That was later corroborated by the press secretary to Ukraine's public ombudsman, and by Oleksandr Tolokonnikov, deputy head of Kherson, who said Russian shelling had stopped both in Kherson city, which is in Ukrainian hands, and the wider region.

Under the deal, the ceasefire will be followed by deliveries of humanitarian aid to Oleshky and then evacuations, planned for Friday, for anyone wishing to leave.

An estimated 1,700 to 2,000 people remain in Oleshky itself and a few thousand more in surrounding areas.

Many residents have resorted to cooking garden weeds to survive, telling the BBC they are suffering extreme hunger and want to leave.